Dynasty Football Fan

During the off-season there is a lot of time to think!  What rookies to draft, who to trade for, what new teams to which your free agent players are moving.  This is a great time to start a new series Top 10 Dynasty player articles.  Check out our Top 10 Lists page for the rest of this collection of articles.  I have not included rookies here as there is no telling what situations they will get into at this point and how any of them will react to the rigors of an NFL season.  We have a separate ranking section for rookies here.

Note: If you’re a die hard dynasty player, there is no need to read this paragraph.  If you are not, keep in mind this is dynasty value of current running backs in the NFL.  While some of these players may be top producers next year, some will not.  Dynasty value lies not only on how a player will produce next year, but how they will produce in coming years, how long they can produce over time, the quality of the team they are on, the opportunity that they currently have or potentially have in the coming few years.

1. Calvin Johnson, WR DET – Megatron, what more can you ask for?  Great QB? Check.  Productive offense? Check.  Plenty of red zone targets? Check.  Size, speed, hands, youth? Check, check, check and check!  He’s at the top of his game and he’s only 26.  Feel fortunate if you have him.
2. Hakeem Nicks, WR NYG –  The G-men have found a passing game and while Victor Cruz is a key component, don’t fool yourself into believing he’s the #1 WR.  That designation belongs to Hakeem Nicks and it showed in the playoff run.  He’s still only 24, he has a QB that is peaking at the right time in his career and he has Victor Cruz to keep him from two much double teaming. He should be productive for a long-time to come.
3. Greg Jennings, WR GB – Jennings was hurt the last 3 games in 2011 or else he would have been a top 10 WR this season.  Instead that distinction went to Jordy Nelson.  No matter, Jennings does have to contend with a ball distribution type of offense, but the offense is so productive and he’s only 28, there’s no reason to believe he won’t be uber-productive for 5 more years.
4. Jordy Nelson, WR GB – I couldn’t get myself to place Nelson in front of Jennings but I have no problem puttin him right behind him.  Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy are young and there is no sign of this offense slowing down.  Nelson is only 25 and is the unquestioned #2 target in this offense.  Don’t sleep on him.
5. Larry Fitzgerald, WR ARI – If Fitz had the QB situation that Megatron has, he’d be #2 on this list.  He doesn’t, but he’s been productive despite that.  Before he retires his QB situation will get better (can it get any worse?) and so will his stats.  He’s still only 28 and has plenty of time left to produce.
6. Percy Harvin, WR MIN – Harvin is only 23, finished just outside of the top 10 in 2011 and quietly had a very nice run at the end of the season, even during the time Adrian Peterson was still playing.  The QB situation will get better in Minnesota and with AP hurt, he has a chance to establish himself as the stat producer he was at Florida next season.
7. A.J Green, WR CIN – Green would be higher if it weren’t for the fact that the 6 above him are almost just as young and more productive now.  That being said, his talent and productivity as a rookie speaks for itself and he will be somewhere on this list for many more years to come.
8. Julio Jones, WR ATL – Green and Jones will always be compared so why not put them side by side on the list?  Jones was very productive in his own right, he is not the #1 guy but he will be eventually (although Roddy White shows little signs of slowing down right now).  If you have him, you are a happy man.
9. Kenny Britt, WR TEN – Britt was injured last year and the year before so he is now on the injury prone list.  That being said, when he’s on the field he is ridiculously productive and he’s only 23.  If he can stay healthy and put it all together next year, not only will he be a perennial top 10er, he’ll be much higher on this list.
10. Mike Wallace, WR PIT – Now the unquestioned #1 WR in Pittsburgh with a great QB and a poor running game (did you ever think you’d here that about the Steelers?), Wallace is only 25 and should stay productive for a long time.  He’s kind of a one trick pony, not as athletic and big as most other guys on this list.  That said, he’s fast as heck and productive and that’s all you need in a top 10 WR.

Also Considered:

• Andre Johnson, WR HOU – Some will argue with this and I understand, but he’s 30 now and oft-injured
• Vincent Jackson, WR SD – Only 28 but has ups and downs
• Wes Welker, WR NE – Will be productive but is 30 now and will start to decline as speed leaves him
• Victor Cruz, WR NYG – One more year like the last and he may well crack the top 10. Only 25
• Marques Colston, WR NO – Injuries have slowed him from year to year but still a productive guy
• Roddy White, WR ATL – The only problem with White right now is age, he will be a top 10er a couple of more years, then fade
• Brandon Marshall, WR MIA – Showed in the Pro Bowl, just needs a QB
• Dwayne Bowe, WR KC – Young and productive but too inconsistent to get into the top 10
• Dez Bryant, WR DAL – See Dwayne Bowe
• DeSean Jackson, WR PHI – See Dez Bryant

Not Considered:

• Steve Smith, WR CAR – Can he do it again next year, maybe, but he’s 32, the clock is ticking
• Steve Johnson, WR BUF – #1 receiver on your team doesn’t mean you’re actually a #1 receiver
• Anquan Boldin, WR BAL – At 31, past his prime and inconsistent QB play
• Pierre Garcon, WR IND – This could change but not productive enough
• Reggie Wayne, WR IND – at 33, he’s done, no matter what situation he gets into as a free agent
• Brandon Lloyd, WR STL – Actually like his situation, but at 30 years old, time is running out